Cross-ups occur when a character attacks an opponent from behind quick enough that the opponent cannot orient themselves properly in time; a defending player may be 'crossed up' and attempt to block by holding backward on the joystick, which results in them holding it toward the attack instead. The proper defense in this scenario is to hold the joystick in the direction the character is facing.

Cross-ups are often executed via jump-ins with certain attacks that can reach on both the attacker's sides, and 'diving' midair attacks; e.g. the Tatsumaki Zankukyaku shown at upper-right, or through use of attacks that pass through foes, e.g. M. Bison's Psycho Crusher; if well-timed, Bison will be on their far side when they become vulnerable, forcing them to "block forward" as with the first example.

Cross-up attacks are viable tools for wake-up game. Even if cross-ups are properly blocked, the attacker may find themselves in a favorable enough position to apply pressure with frame traps or to tick-throw them.